Stump microphone
A microphone embedded in a cricket stump.
Last updated
A stump microphone, often called a stump mic, is a microphone built into a cricket stump. Kerry Packer first created the device for World Series Cricket in the 1970s. Its original purpose was entertainment, letting television viewers hear the stumps rattle.
The technology later became part of the Decision Review System. The microphone picks up the sound of a bat hitting the ball, helping officials decide if a batter is out caught or not out leg before wicket.
This system is called Snickometer, and its updated version is Real Time Snickometer (RTS). It was first used for this purpose at the 2007 World Cup. Audio analysis can tell the difference between the sharp sound of bat on ball and the muffled sound of bat or ball on a pad.
Stump microphones have also reduced sledging, though players still do it out of the mic’s range. England coach Trevor Bayliss has criticized sledging caught on stump mics, arguing it should be censored on television. On the other hand, England cricketer Moeen Ali believes stump mics should be turned up to discourage sledging. As of 2019, International Cricket Council rules require the microphone volume to be lowered when the ball is dead or not in play.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Kerry Packer
- Introduced for
- World Series Cricket
- Decade of origin
- 1970s
- Introduced for drs at
- 2007 World Cup
- Related technology
- Snickometer, Real Time Snickometer (RTS)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The stump microphone was originally developed by Kerry Packer for World Series Cricket in the 1970s. At first it was primarily for entertainment value, allowing television audiences to hear the rattle of stumps. Later, the technology became part of the Decision Review System; the microphone detects the sound of a batter hitting the ball in order to determine whether they should be given out caught or not out leg before wicket.
This technology is called Snickometer, with the later version being known as Real Time Snickometer (RTS). It was introduced at the 2007 World Cup for this purpose. Audio analysis of the sound produced can distinguish between the sharp sound from bat on ball and the muffled sound from bat or ball on pad.
Reader's Guide
An important effect of stump microphones is that players are less likely to engage in sledging, although it is still done out of the microphone's range. England coach Trevor Bayliss has expressed disapproval over sledging being caught on the stump mics, suggesting that sledging must be censored on television.
Conversely, England cricketer Moeen Ali suggests stump mics should be turned up, in order to deter players from sledging. As of 2019, International Cricket Council guidelines say the volume of the stump microphones must be turned down when the ball is dead or not in play. The technology thus serves a dual role: it enhances the broadcast experience and provides forensic audio evidence for umpiring decisions, while also influencing on-field behavior by capturing player conversations.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Stump microphone (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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